Symphony Orchestra looks ahead

Last year saw the National Symphony Orchestra (NCO) engaged in a number of innovative programmes that suggested its preparedness to wade into unfamiliar waters and achieve good results.

Apart from its regular fare of performing at a variety of private functions, the orchestra laid on the  Music From The Movies & More concert at the National Theatre in April.

It was an enjoyable two hours as the 42-piece NSO treated the audience to music from well-known films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sound of Music and James Bond 007.

Conducted by Isaac Annoh and guest Stephen Ellery, associate conductor of the English Concert Orchestra and a jazz musician, the NSO won over the audience with the brisk treatment it brought to the pieces.

The audience was encouraged at some points to clap or sing along and that contributed to the fun atmosphere the evening was intended to create.Stephen Ellery was a cheerful and energetic conductor who virtually used every part of his body to do the job.

He jumped, punched the air, danced, blew his saxophone and did some karate moves to convey the message that  symphonic music could be as entertaining as any other type of music.

The embassies of France and the Federal Republic of Germany, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut and Institut Francais, also  organised a France-Germany Friendship Concert in September  at the National Theatre.

The National Symphony Orchestra, along with guest musicians from  Germany and France, performed at the concert which formed part of the celebration  of the 50th anniversary of ‘Elysee Treaty’ between France and Germany.

The Tema Youth Choir, the children's choir of the Anani Memorial School at Nima and  the children's orchestra of the Cradle-of-Grace Montessori School, both in Accra,  also performed at the show.

As part of activities marking its  20th anniversary celebrations, the National Theatre of Ghana  in September presented a concert dubbed Re: Contextualising Ghanaian Popular Music which featured master guitarist, Koo Nimo, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

A subtle sense of apprehension engulfed the auditorium as the audience eagerly waited to hear the fruits of that  unusual collaboration.

Through a continuous stream of melody, harmony and rhythm, the orchestra,  under the direction of Isaac Annor, helped reveal Koo Nimo’s deep insight into indigenous Ghanaian music.

We are in a new year and one of the major assignments the orchestra hopes to undertake by April  is a concert of  popular themes from sports.

So fans of the Liverpool Football Club should expect to  hear an orchestral rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.